Some Gift Cards Sorta Friendlier, Thanks To FTC

By consumerist.comDecember 17, 2007

Gift cards have fewer hidden fees and expiration dates this holiday season, thanks to FTC action, reports the Washington Post. A survey by the Montgomery County’s Office of Consumer Protection found that about 80% of the 22 retail examined had no fees or expiration dates, could be replaced if lost or stolen and had scratch-off PINS for security.

The same cannot be said, however, of the gift cards issued by banks, like those VISA-backed gift cards…

All 20 of these studied had purchase fees, maintenance fees and expiration dates. So if you buy a gift card, get it directly from the retailer instead of the bank or a mall operator, or just give cold hard cash, which never expires or incurs fees…